Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- windows_tips_tricks_and_notes [2025/10/22 09:26] – mike
+++ windows_tips_tricks_and_notes [2026/04/08 08:25] (current) – mike
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Windows Tips, Tricks and Notes ======
-----
 ===== Windows 10 annoyances and how to overcome them =====
-=== "Let's finish setting up your device."  Let's not and say we did: ===
+==== Important: Disable "Delivery Optimization" ====
+Delivery Optimization is a lovely feature that results in making Windows updates faster by letting PCs share update files with each other instead of everyone downloading from Microsoft's servers. Your PC downloads parts of updates from other computers that already have them, and in return, your PC uploads those same files to others who need them.  These "other computers" can live inside your home (not an issue) or somewhere else on the Internet (very much an issue).  Disable this setting!
+  Settings > Windows Updates > Advanced Options > Delivery Optimization
+Disable the settings found therein.
+==== "Let's finish setting up your device."  Let's not and say we did: ====
 Disable this annoying splash screen thusly:
   * Start -> Settings -> System -> Notifications & actions
   * Uncheck the “Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates…”, “Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device…” and “Get tips, tricks and suggestions…” items under Notifications.
-=== End the automatic upgrade/automatic reboot madness ===
+==== End the automatic upgrade/automatic reboot madness ====
 Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)\\
 Navigate to the following path:
@@ Line 20: / Line 24: @@
 **No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations** -> Enabled\\
-=== Require username to be specified at logon (disable user listing) ===
+==== Require username to be specified at logon (disable user listing) ====
 Open the Local Policy app (secpol)\\
 Navigate to **Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Interactive Logon: Don’t display last signed-in** and set to Enabled.
-=== Enable ICMP ===
+==== Enable ICMP ====
 Open a command window in Administrator mode and enter the following command:
   netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="ICMP Allow incoming V4 echo request" protocol=icmpv4:8,any dir=in action=allow
-=== Disable "helpful" reminders to login to a Microsoft Account (insert puke emoji here) ===
+==== Disable "helpful" reminders to login to a Microsoft Account (insert puke emoji here) ====
 Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)\\
 Navigate to **User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Account Notifications**\\
@@ Line 45: / Line 49: @@
 ===== Personalizing a non-activated Windows 10 system =====
-=== Disable Taskbar Button Grouping with Group Policy ===
+==== Disable Taskbar Button Grouping with Group Policy ====
 Open the Registry Editor app and locate the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
@@ Line 53: / Line 57: @@
 Restart the computer.
-=== Setting Desktop Wallpaper via Group Policy ===
+==== Setting Desktop Wallpaper via Group Policy ====
 Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)\\
 Navigate to ''Local Computer Policy -> User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Desktop -> Desktop''\\
@@ Line 63: / Line 67: @@
 Wallpaper modification will take effect on the next login.
-=== Setting Desktop Wallpaper using Registry Editor ===
+==== Setting Desktop Wallpaper using Registry Editor ====
 Open the Registry Editor app.\\
 Navigate to //Policies// in //HKCU//.\\
@@ Line 84: / Line 88: @@
 Wallpaper modification will take effect on the next login.
-=== Removing the wallpaper ===
+==== Removing the wallpaper ====
 In case you want to remove this wallpaper, navigate to the following path:
@@ Line 94: / Line 98: @@
 ===== Helpful Commands and Procedures =====
-=== Creating/extracting files with 7-Zip ===
+==== Creating/extracting files with 7-Zip ====
-== Create or add to an archive: ==
+=== Create or add to an archive: ===
 z a -p <zipfile name> <file(s) to add>
-== Create an archive, recursing the directory specified: ==
+=== Create an archive, recursing the directory specified: ===
 z a -rp <zipfile name> <file(s) to add>
-== Extract the archive: ==
+=== Extract the archive: ===
 z x <zipfile name>
-== Resurrecting a USB Stick ==
+==== Resurrecting a USB Stick ====
 Connect your flash drive to the computer at first, and make sure it can be detected.
@@ Line 122: / Line 126: @@
 {{:cmd.jpg?600|}}
-=== Bulk Installation of Programs ===
+==== Bulk Installation of Programs ====
 Visit www.ninite.com
-=== Checking a file's hash ===
+==== Checking a file's hash ====
   certutil -hashfile <filename> SHA256
-=== Laser Printer keeps "going offline" ===
+==== Laser Printer keeps "going offline" ====
 Solution found on Reddit:
@@ Line 141: / Line 145: @@
 > If you want to check the printer's settings, type that IP address into a web browser while the printer is connected. Make sure the IP address is set to static by going to the Network tab., clicking on 'Networking' from the left pane, and then clicking on 'Network Address (IP)'.
-=== Quick Guide: Automatic login in Windows 10 ===
+==== Quick Guide: Automatic login in Windows 10 ====
 Open the registry editor\\